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? 4:21
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejhyCrh96a8
Jan 13, 2013 - Uploaded by Flyin Brian
I show you step-by step how to get the old belt off and install a new ... ... Water pump replacement 2007 Toyota ...

This answer is for a 2003 Toyota Camry listed by the Asker under the 2001 Toyota Avalon CategoryClickon the following direct Link. It has the Serpentine Belt Diagram.

Standard Rules to Removal the Serpentine Belt with a Tensioner:1. Find the Tensioner(s). (See Diagrams on Link) 2. Using a Serpentine Belt Tensioner Tool, Or Wrench OR Ratchet, Rotate/Move the Tensioner USING THE AVAILABLE NUT (on the Pulley or Arm Base) OR the OPENING (3/8ths or 1/2 inch square opening) rotating the Tensioner Pulley/Arm - moving it away from contact with the belt and towards the area where the belt is not in contact with the Tensioner Pulley. The Tensioner is spring loaded, and is hard to rotate/move.3. Remove the loosened belt off one of the other more easily accessed Pulleys.4. DO NOT quickly release the Tensioner, but gently allow the Tensioner to rest in its closed position.

Standard Rules for Installing the Serpentine Belt with Tensioners:a. Pick a Pulley that is most easily accessed. This will usually be on top. This will be the last Pulley that the belt will go on.b. Using the Diagram: Install the new Serpentine Belt on the remainder of the Pulleys....over, under, left right.c. Using a Serpentine Belt Tensioner Tool or Wrench or Ratchet Tool: Rotate/Move the Tensioner Pulley/Arm "away" from Belt contact area on the Tensioner. This spring is pretty hard and with a new belt, it will be even harder to install. Rotate/Move this to as-close to the maximum allowed inorder to have enough slack in the belt to get it up and over the last pulley.d. Using your other hand - Pull the Belt up and over the Last remaining Pulley.e. Before releasing the pressure on the Tensioner, visually inspect the remainder Pulleys and the Belts' Positioning on them

"HOW TO":Standard Rules to Removal the Serpentine Belt with an Automatic Tensioner:1. Find the Tensioner(s). (See Diagrams on Link) 2. Using a Serpentine Belt Tensioner Tool, Or Wrench OR Ratchet, Rotate/Move the Tensioner USING THE AVAILABLE NUT (on the Pulley or Arm Base) OR the OPENING (3/8ths or 1/2 inch square opening) rotating the Tensioner Pulley/Arm - moving it away from contact with the belt and towards the area where the belt is not in contact with the Tensioner Pulley. The Tensioner is spring loaded, and is hard to rotate/move.3. Remove the loosened belt off one of the other more easily accessed Pulleys.4. DO NOT quickly release the Tensioner, but gently allow the Tensioner to rest in its closed position.

Standard Rules for Installing the Serpentine Belt with an Automatic Tensioner:a. Pick a Pulley that is most easily accessed. This will usually be on top. This will be the last Pulley that the belt will go on.b. Using the Diagram: Install the new Serpentine Belt on the remainder of the Pulleys....over, under, left right.c. Using a Serpentine Belt Tensioner Tool or Wrench or Ratchet Tool: Rotate/Move the Tensioner Pulley/Arm "away" from Belt contact area on the Tensioner. This spring is pretty hard and with a new belt, it will be even harder to install. Rotate/Move this to as-close to the maximum allowed inorder to have enough slack in the belt to get it up and over the last pulley.d. Using your other hand - Pull the Belt up and over the Last remaining Pulley.e. Before releasing the pressure on the Tensioner, visually inspect the remainder Pulleys and the Belts' Positioning on them.Let me know if this helped, or if you have additional information questions. Feel Free to contact me at FixYa.com!

While it is a possibility, having the tensioner lose tension seems more probable that it locking up as the mechanics have stated. You seem to know what you are talking about, so why not try throwing a wrench on it and turning it towards the serpentine belt? Then you can see for yourself if it has seized or not. It is the small pulley that doesn't seem to power anything like your AC compressor, alternator, fan, crank, powr streering. match a wrench to the size of the bolt and turn it, if it moves take the belt off (noting how it goes) and put the new one on saving you 280 dollars.

4 cylinder diagram6 cylinder diagram
Loosen the tensioner pulley to remove the belt. It is the one that has a long bolt running through it. Once you remove the old belt, install the new one using the appropriate diagram from the above two links. Readjust the tension using the bolt you loosened to remove the old belt.

There is a special tool for removing your serpentine belt. It is a long thin bar designed to get in those tight spots. Most auto parts stores have these bars. Good luck. please rate my answer as a fixya!